The challenges of participatory research with 'tech-savvy' youth

This paper focuses on participatory research and how it can be understood and employed when researching children and youth. The aim of this paper is to provide a theoretically and empirically grounded discussion of participatory research methodologies with respect to investigating the dynamic and evolving phenomenon of young people growing up in networked societies. Initially, we review the nature of participatory research and how other researchers have endeavoured to involve young people (children and youth) in their research projects. Our review of these approaches aims to elucidate what we see as recurring and emerging issues with respect to the methodological design of involving young people as co-researchers. In the light of these issues and in keeping with our aim, we offer a case study of our own research project that seeks to understand the ways in which high school students use new media and network ICT systems (Internet, mobile phone applications, social networking sites) to construct identities, form social relations, and engage in creative practices as part of their everyday lives. The article concludes by offering an assessment of our tripartite model of participatory research that may benefit other researchers who share a similar interest in youth and new media

Identification and Characterization of Mitochondrial DNA Variants in Alzheimer\u27s Disease

Alzheimer\u27s Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects a significant portion of the human population regardless of ethnicity or gender. A mitochondrial hypothesis of AD has been proposed based on a number of studies which establish altered oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and ATP synthesis in AD tissue. ATP demand is most prevalent in the brain; damage to OXPHOS could severely impair brain metabolism, thereby leading to a decline in cognitive function. Four out of five complexes in the OXPHOS pathway are partly encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); thus, this may be a crucial site of lesions that alter brain activity. Within the last decade a number of neuromuscular disorders have been found to be associated with mutations in mtDNA. AD patients share a number of similarities with the mitochondrial encephalomyopathies such as reduced oxidative metabolism, delayed onset of neurological symptoms, and pathological changes that damage tissues with high ATP demand. For these reasons we have been studying AD brain tissue for known, as well as any uncharacterized, mtDNA mutations. We examined brain autopsy tissue for deleted mtDNA by PCR-based methods and Southern analysis. AD brain tissue was obtained from autopsy-confirmed cases. Using a rat brain model system to examine postmortem effects, we found no mtDNA degradation after 30 hours at RT by Southern analysis. We then assessed brain tissue for the 5 kb deletion (\rm mtDNA\sp{\Delta 4977}) by PCR-based methods. While optimizing quantitative techniques we found that serial dilution PCR and kinetic PCR yielded different deletion levels although both methods indicated a greater ratio of \rm mtDNA\sp{\Delta 4977} in the caudate than in the parietal cortex of a cognitively intact control. By serial dilution PCR we determined that AD temporal cortex had a 12 fold greater frequency of \rm mtDNA\sp{\Delta 4977} than controls (0.0628% vs 0.0053%). Using diagnostic restriction enzyme analysis, we detected the previously described point mutation, \rm tRNA\sp{gln4336}, in one Caucasian AD patient and in none of the controls. Biochemical studies indicated that there is a significant decrease in cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in platelets and brain tissue of AD patients as well as perturbed COX I, II and III mRNA levels. We examined the mitochondrially encoded COX subunits by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing and identified thirty two variants. SSCP efficiency was estimated at 80%. Sixteen of the mutations are new mtDNA variants including a moderately conserved phe- $\u3e$ leu missense change in COX III at np 9861 which was observed in 4.2% (1/24) of the AD patients and in 0% (0/16) of the controls. Further studies will define if this mutation plays any pathogenic role in AD or in COX activity suppression

Pay Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intent

The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationships among pay satisfaction, job satisfaction, and turnover. While there is a fairly large body of literature on pay satisfaction/dissatisfaction-turnover relationship, there are reasons to expect different outcomes in occupations – such as social work and nursing – where job satisfaction, versus pay, may be of equal, if not greater importance. Essentially, it may be argued that in these sectors, workers are driven more by job satisfaction rather than their paychecks. Yet, there is little empirical research on this issue; thus, a primary purpose of this study is to address this research need. This study will add to the recent research that has focused on key human resources management and industrial relations issues related to the nursing profession in Canada. Furthermore, many studies use a unidimensional measure of pay satisfaction even though the literature suggests that there are better measures. Using a four-dimensional instrument in this study, we improve on past practices.Using a sample of 200 nurses in a unionized hospital in Ontario to test our hypotheses, we found support for both (viz., 1. The four pay dimensions will affect turnover intent differently; and 2. Job satisfaction will add incrementally to the explained variance in the pay satisfaction-turnover relationship). The findings support the contention that nurses may be more motivated by their jobs, versus their pay. The findings may be good news for organizations that want to better manage labour costs. There are different ways for hospitals to improve their workplace environment in order to increase satisfaction with intrinsic job factors and reduce turnover.Cet article examine la relation entre la satisfaction à l’égard de la rémunération, la satisfaction au travail et le roulement de la main-d’oeuvre. Alors qu’il existe un corpus plutôt vaste de littérature sur la satisfaction/insatisfaction à l’égard de la rémunération, il y a des raisons de penser que les résultats pourraient différés pour certaines professions, comme dans le cas du travail social et celui des soins infirmiers, où la satisfaction au travail comparativement à celle à l’égard de la rémunération peut être d’importance égale ou même supérieure. Essentiellement on peut argumenter que dans ces secteurs, les travailleurs et travailleuses sont davantage motivés par la satisfaction au travail que par leur chèque de paie. Pourtant il y a peu de recherche empirique sur ce sujet. Un premier objectif de l’étude est de combler en partie du moins ce manque. Elle ajoutera ainsi aux études récentes qui mettent l’accent sur la gestion des ressources humaines clés dans les organisations et les problèmes de relations industrielles liées à la profession des soins infirmiers au Canada. Plusieurs études utilisent une mesure unidimensionnelle de la satisfaction à l’égard de la rémunération alors que la littérature suggère que de meilleures mesures pourraient être utilisées. Aussi en proposant une mesure à quatre dimensions, nous croyons pouvoir améliorer les pratiques passées de recherche dans ce domaine.À partir d’un échantillon de 200 infirmiers et infirmières d’un hôpital torontois nous obtenons des résultats empiriques qui tendent à appuyer nos deux hypothèses, à savoir : 1) que chacune des quatre dimensions de la rémunération exerce un effet différent sur l’intention de quitter, et 2) que la satisfaction au travail constitue un facteur additionnel dans l’explication de la variance dans la relation satisfaction à l’égard de la rémunération-roulement (intention de quitter). Cela constitue un appui à l’argument que les infirmiers et les infirmières sont sans doute davantage motivés par les conditions d’exercice de leur travail que par leur rémunération. De tels résultats peuvent être une bonne nouvelle pour les organisations désireuses de mieux gérer leurs coûts de main-d’oeuvre puisqu’il y a différentes façons pour les hôpitaux d’améliorer l’environnement de travail dans le but d’accroître la satisfaction à l’égard des caractéristiques intrinsèques du travail et ainsi réduire le roulement du personnel.El propósito de este documento es de examinar las relaciones entre satisfacción del salario, satisfacción del empleo y cambio de empleo. Mientras existe una impresionante cantidad de literatura sobre la relación satisfacción/insatisfacción del salario y cambio de empleo, hay razones para esperar diferentes resultados en las ocupaciones tales como trabajo social y enfermería – donde la satisfacción del empleo, versus salario, puede ser de igual sino de mayor importancia. Esencialmente, puede argumentarse que en estos sectores, los trabajadores son más interesados por la satisfacción del empleo que por sus cheques de pago. Además, hay pocos estudios empíricos sobre esta problemática; así, un primer propósito de este estudio de responder a esta necesidad de investigación. Este estudio se añade a la reciente investigación que ha focalizado las problemáticas claves de gestión de recursos humanos y de relaciones industriales respecto a la profesión de enfermería en Canadá. Más aún, muchos estudios utilizan una medida unidimensional de la satisfacción del salario aunque la literatura sugiere que hay mejores medidas. Usando un instrumento de cuatro dimensiones en este estudio, se mejora las prácticas pasadas.Se utiliza una muestra de 200 enfermeras en un hospital sindicalizado de Ontario para evaluar nuestras hipótesis siendo éstas validadas: 1. Las cuatro dimensiones de pago van afectar la intención de cambio de empleo de manera diferente; 2. La satisfacción del empleo aumenta la contribución para explicar la varianza en la relación satisfacción salarial – cambio de empleo. Estos resultados confirman el punto de vista que las enfermeras pueden estar más motivadas por sus empleo, versus sus salarios. Los resultados pueden ser buenas noticias para las organizaciones que quieren administrar mejor los costos del trabajo. Hay diferentes maneras en los hospitales de mejorar el ambiente en el lugar de trabajo de manera a aumentar la satisfacción con los factores intrínsecos del empleo y reducir así el cambio de empleo

Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity - A Frequently Missed Complication.

IntroductionAmiodarone is often used in the suppression of tachyarrhythmias. One of the more serious adverse effects includes amiodarone pulmonary toxicity (APT). Several pulmonary diseases can manifest including interstitial pneumonitis, organizing pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary nodules or masses, and pleural effusion. Incidence of APT varies from 5-15% and is correlated to dosage, age of the patient, and preexisting lung disease.DescriptionA 56-year-old male with a past medical history of coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted for a coronary artery bypass graft. Post-operatively, the patient was admitted to the ICU for ventilator management and continued to receive his home dose of amiodarone 400 mg orally twice daily, which he had been taking for the past 3 months. The patient was found to be hypoxemic with a PaO2 52 mmHg and bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray. Patient also complained of new onset dyspnea. Physical exam found bilateral rhonchi with bibasilar crackles and subcutaneous emphysema along the left anterior chest wall. Daily chest x-rays showed worsening of bilateral interstitial infiltrates and pleural effusions. A chest high-resolution computed tomography on post-operative day 3 showed extensive and severe bilateral ground glass opacities. APT was suspected and amiodarone was discontinued. A course of oral prednisone without antibiotics was initiated, and after one week of treatment the chest film cleared, the PaO2 value normalized and dyspnea resolved.DiscussionAPT occurs via cytotoxic T cells and indirectly by immunological reaction. Typically the lungs manifest a diffuse interstitial pneumonitis with varying degrees of fibrosis. Infiltrates with a 'ground-glass' appearance appreciated on HRCT are more definitive than chest x-ray. Pulmonary nodules can be seen, frequently in the upper lobes. These are postulated to be accumulations of amiodarone in areas of previous inflammation. Those undergoing major cardiothoracic surgery are known to be predisposed to APT. Some elements require consideration: a baseline pulmonary function test (PFT) did not exist prior. APT would manifest a restrictive pattern of PFTs. In APT diffusing capacity (DLCO) is generally >20 percent from baseline. A DLCO was not done in this patient. Therefore, not every type of interstitial lung disease could be ruled out. Key features support a clinical diagnosis: (1) new dyspnea, (2) exclusion of lung infection, (3) exclusion of heart failure, (4) new radiographic features, (5) improvement with withdrawal of amiodarone. Our case illustrates consideration of APT in patients who have extensive use of amiodarone and new onset dyspnea

A note on contributions concerning nonseparable spaces with respect to signal processing within Bayesian frameworks

In this paper, we discuss the study of some signal processing problems within Bayesian frameworks and semigroups theory, in the case where the Banach space under consideration may be nonseparable. For applications, the suggested approach may be of interest in situations where approximation in the norm of the space is not possible. We describe the idea for the case of the abstract Cauchy problem for the evolution equation and provide more detailed example of the diffusion equation with the initial data in the nonseparable Morrey space

Radiolabeled Dendrimers as Potential PET Agents for Molecular Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis

Introduction: Angiogenesis is a normal physiological process that plays an imperative role during tumor development. We believe that the development of a non-invasive imaging technique targeting angiogenesis can provide a better understanding of this important process. Positron emission tomography (PET) – a highly sensitive imaging technique can offer accurate degree of disease quantification. The phenomenon of enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR effect) is now becoming the gold standard in cancer targeting drug designing. Dendrimers have the ability to exhibit EPR effect for targeted therapeutic/drug delivery approach. Therefore, molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis using radio-labeled dendrimers is expected to broaden the possibilities for drug development

An aerobiological perspective of dust in cage-housed and floor-housed poultry operations

The Canadian poultry production industry contributes nearly $10 billion to the Canadian economy and employs nearly 50,000 workers. However, modern poultry facilities are highly contaminated with airborne dust. Although there are many bioaerosols in the poultry barn environment, endotoxin is typically attributed with the negative respiratory symptoms observed in workers. These adverse respiratory symptoms have a higher prevalence in poultry workers compared to workers from other animal confinement buildings. Workers in cage-housed operations compared to floor-housed facilities report a higher prevalence of some respiratory symptoms. We review the current state of knowledge on airborne dust in poultry barns and respiratory dysfunction in poultry workers while highlighting the areas that need further investigation. Our review focuses on the aerobiological pathway of poultry dust including the source and aerosolization of dust and worker exposure and response. Further understanding of the source and aerosolization of dust in poultry operations will aid in the development of management practices to reduce worker exposure and response